joe 44

Hi Gardenkit, Thanks for the fast informative reply, regarding engine rebuild would just replacing the piston rings help I can get a set for £20. Rebore and new piston does seem like a waste of time and money, the cylinder is very smooth has not been scored so I’m not sure if it needs all that however I don’t have much experience in that type of work, also I cant find new valves anywhere and wouldn't the valve guides need to be reamed and larger valves fitted? Definitely wouldn’t go down that route but would consider changing rings and valves. On a side note how about fitting a new engine or a reconditioned old one, I’ve seen reconditioned ones on Ebay obviously a risk who knows what condition it would be in, and I've seen new Briggs horizontal engines but don’t know if fitting it would be possible. Other than the engine the rest of the mower is in good condition cylinder has been reground recently and the shop that did it said there was plenty of life left in it and all the belts and roller are also good, the mower cuts nice and I know new cylinder mowers are out there just a shame really to bin it. Once again thanks for the help it is much appreciated.

Hello after posting a problem earlier in this forum and receiving a helpful answer I was wondering if someone could help me again. It concerns a Qualcast Suffolk Punch 35s a114 engine, after use when I pull the spark plug and look in the bore the piston is wet and shiny I assume this is oil as it does not evaporate if left awhile. The engine doesn't smoke but the exhaust has a strong smell. If it's all working fine shouldn't the bore be dry inside? Recently I took the head off to clean the carbon and lap the valves when doing this I noticed the valves have a bit of play in the valve guides and the piston has slight play in the cylinder. Could the piston rings or valves be letting oil past or could it be something simple like too much oil or poor quality oil, it has half a pint of sae30 oil from b&q would a better quality oil make any difference? The manual confirms this is the correct amount of oil,the cylinder is very smooth not a mark on it Any help would be much appreciated. Joe

Hello new to the forum, I hope I’m not been rude by asking this here, I have recently been given a Qualcast Suffolk Punch 35s that has a few problems and would appreciate any help. The lawnmower is an a114 aluminium engine and has the Dellorto carb, mechanical governor, and two pole ignition coil so I reckon that it's late 80's maybe 1988, anyway the problem is the recoil starter keeps slipping when trying to start the mower, its so bad that you can see the engine cowl bulge and the plastic starter housing coming away from the engine cowl. One of the starter pawls then comes out of the starter cup and then the whole thing gets jammed up and has to be removed. Even with the spark plug removed it still doesn't seem to engage very well. Compression is 90psi so I don't think that should cause it to struggle. I've rebuilt the starter and still the same problem, the pulley does seem to have quite a bit of play and wobbles in the starter housing, so maybe the starter housing is worn any ideas? Also I would appreciate any information anyone could give me about this particular engine. Thanks Joe